Please protect yourself and your loved ones from hackers/scammers that take advantage of Google Search Results.
Every time you search on Google, you trust that it is going to return the best results for your query. Hackers are counting on you thinking this! They create fake websites that look identical to legitimate ones to fool you into clicking on links or downloading files from them. Therefore, please know that the Top Searches are not always safe or the right ones to go to.
These sites have links to “normal” looking installers for apps such as Chrome and VPN Services. Many others too! The downside is that these installers don’t install the advertised app. They install malware on your computer or even phone!
How do they get away with it? They purchase fake domains that look like the real ones. We went over this in a previous post. Domains such as M1CROSOFT [.] COM. (the brackets are used for your safety) At first glance, it looks like the legitimate Microsoft website link. If you missed it, the “I” in Microsoft was replaced my a “ONE”.
The hackers then use plugins on the back end to climb the ranks of Google search results so that you are fooled into clicking on the results.
The worst part is, you may not have realized that you are installing something very dangerous. That fake installer that you just downloaded? Yep, it can contain the real app with it. Everything looks normal and you continue your work. All the while, a malicious app has been installed alongside the real one.
Top Ways to Protect Yourself from Fake Google Results
- Download your apps from official sites. Avoid those third party’s “cheaper or free” software sites.
- Have a better than good antivirus program – We Can Help You With That!
- To help protect your passwords, install a password manager. We use and sell NordPass. DO NOT rely on saving your passwords to your browser. If you are hacked, that is one of the first places they go.
- Look out for those “Sponsored” or “Ad” links that come up first. Always scroll down past them. Look for the legitimate website in the description. Sometimes it is hard to see, try typing the site into your URL “top of the browser search” Bar.
- Always keep your system and other software updated to the current versions. We Do That Too!
Please make sure you are protecting your loved ones against these attacks. However, we are here to help you if you do fall for one of them.
As always, please feel free to reach out to us if you have any thoughts on this.
Stay Safe Out There!